FSU players claim Seminoles boast nation's top secondary

The Seminoles second in the country in passing yards allowed per game

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State cornerback Lamarcus Joyner believed deep down that he was part of the nation's top secondary.

He just never articulated it. That is, until immediately after the Seminoles' 51-14 win against then No. 3 Clemson.

"Let my brothers tell you, we're the best secondary in the country," Joyner said to the media. "We know that Clemson has a lot of great players, we know that going along the schedule we're going to play against a lot of great players. But we have players that can play all over the secondary."

Therein lies the key to success for the Seminoles' secondary. FSU's defensive backs have unwavering confidence in one another and enough versatility to matchup and shutdown any opposing group of receivers.

Against Clemson, which fields arguably the country's top quarterback-wide receiver combo in Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins, the Seminoles defensive backs cemented themselves as an elite group.

Boyd had one of the worst games of his career and likely fell out of the Heisman Trophy race, completing just 17 of his 37 passes for 156 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Watkins had 68 receiving yards.

"Watching film on them, other teams gave them a lot of cushion, let them run routs," safety Terrence Brooks said. "The quarterback was easily to pick that apart. With our defense, we wanted to be a little more aggressive, at least make them work to make the play."

What enables the Seminoles to be aggressive and jam receivers is that the entire secondary is comprised of players who can line up at multiple positions. Joyner previously started at safety. Brooks was moved from corner to safety, and freshman Jalen Ramsey slid from corner after starting safety Tyler Hunter was lost for the season.

The overall athleticism and versatility of the group can be overwhelming for opponents. It's even hard to FSU coach Jimbo Fisher to digest.

"I've been on a staff where you have two or three, maybe four, but all those guys can be very multiple," Fisher said. "It's the way we like to recruit. I think it's critical in today's time to be able to do that, because of circumstances and matchups. … I don't know if I've been on a team with that many."

FSU has eight interceptions through six games and has held quarterbacks to an average passer rating of 106.2, which is 11th nationally.

"I think we have a chance to be [the top secondary]," Fisher said.

In the past two matchups, against top 25 opponents Clemson and Maryland, FSU has placed an extra cornerback on the field. P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby have proven to be physical corners on the perimeter and have enabled Joyner to thrive as an inside corner, where he can take advantage of both is quickness and physicality.

Against Clemson, Joyner finished with two forced fumbles and an interception.

"We have a bunch physical specimens in that secondary," said Joyner, who paused for a second and then grinned. "Not myself, I'm only 5-8, but I have intelligence and I'm a pretty physical player."

That confidence trickles down into the entire group, adding to the Seminoles' smothering secondary.

"Yeah, what do you mean? Definitely," Brooks said, almost incredulously, when asked if he thought FSU had the country's top group of defensive backs. "I feel like we're the best out there."